title: Duplex Doppler findings in splenic arteriovenous fistula.
abstract: Splenic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare cause of portal hypertension. An early diagnosis is crucial because lethal complications may occur if the disease is not treated. We report a case of AVF in a noncirrhotic patient in whom the diagnosis was made by duplex sonography. This technique can differentiate between AVF and other, more common vascular abnormalities in the left upper quadrant in patients with portal hypertension. Duplex sonography can therefore be recommended as the first imaging approach in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Università di Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piscaglia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valgimigli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gramantieri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bolondi
mesh_terms: D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D013157:Splenic Artery; D013162:Splenic Vein; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex